Kilmer Named One of Ten Most Effective Members of Congress
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Washington Post published an article on a study that names Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) one of the ‘ten most effective lawmakers’ in the U.S. Congress. The list was put together by two professors who created a ‘Legislative Effectiveness Score’ to rank members of the 113th Congress. Based on the formula, Kilmer found more success moving legislation he’s sponsored through Congress than others.
In 2014, Kilmer was one of only a few Democrats in the House of Representatives who authored two bills that President Obama signed into law. Kilmer’s bipartisan bill to help reverse a decline in Americans’ personal savings rates and his bill to officially recognize a new name for the Bainbridge Island memorial to Japanese Americans forced from their home both became laws. Kilmer also successfully secured provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act and the appropriations bill.
“Making progress for our nation can be tough in this Congress,” said Kilmer. “But if we’re going to get our economy and our Congress moving forward, working in a bipartisan way and focusing on progress rather than partisanship is important. That’s why I’m honored to have been included in a list of the most effective members of Congress published by the Washington Post. I’d like to thank my constituents for contributing their ideas and voices as we work to move forward on our region’s priorities. I’m committed to continue working to further common goals rather than partisan bickering.”
The ‘Legislative Effectiveness Score,’ was created by professors Craig Volden of the University of Virginia and Alan E. Wiseman of Vanderbilt University. The professors wrote in the Washington Post that the LES is designed to chart how successful representatives are at pushing bills through the legislative process while also coding each piece of legislation to measure their significance.
Throughout his tenure representing Washington’s 6th District, Kilmer has focused on working with both Democrats and Republicans to pass legislative initiatives. This year, a bipartisan bill he coauthored to support the emerging commercial space industry, the U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act (SPACE Act of 2015) was signed into law by the President. His bill to help coastal tribes facing severe weather threats also gained momentum by receiving a hearing in the key House Committee on Natural Resources. This year, Kilmer once again secured important provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act and in the recently passed Omnibus Appropriations Act.
This year, Kilmer has introduced a new bipartisan bill to fix the Federal Elections Commission, the agency charged with enforcing federal election laws. He also was a coauthor of joint House and Senate legislation that would improve federal loan assistance programs for teachers.
At the start of 2015, Kilmer was tapped by his colleagues to serve on the House Appropriations Committee. As a member of the committee Kilmer successfully ensured the final funding bill included, among other items, investments for Puget Sound recovery efforts, support for key projects at the region’s military facilities, and policies making it easier for veterans in rural communities to get care closer to home and for tribal organizations to work with military veterans seeking VA benefits. Earlier this year, AMVETS (American Veterans) awarded Kilmer the 2015 Silver Helmet Award, an honor presented to one member of Congress each year for work on behalf of military veterans.
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